January 1 is a time to celebrate the coming new year. Please be mindful of not driving impaired, partying safely, and being considerate of neighbors and pets or others who might be sensitive to fireworks. DUII patrols will be staffed above and beyond the normal strength throughout the holiday weekend, primarily with the help of funding from state grants.

The social host, or ordinance on unruly gatherings, holds individuals criminally responsible for hosting, organizing and allowing an unruly event or social gathering. Property owners where the event is hosted will also be penalized if there are multiple violations of this ordinance at the same property. The Eugene Municipal Court has assigned a base fine of $375 for criminal violations of this ordinance. Both hosts and property owners could be civilly liable for police, fire and public works response to repeated illegal gatherings that fall under this ordinance. For more information: SOCIAL HOST

FIREWORKS INFORMATION

Fireworks within the City of Eugene are allowed if they are legal retail fireworks and they can only be used between December 31 and January 1 (and also between June 23 and July 6 -City Code 4.934). Violation of the ordinance has a base fine that has been set at $250. The use of illegal fireworks during anytime of the year, or the use of fireworks that are legal for retail purchase other than between June 23 and July 6 and December 31 and January 1, is covered by the Social Host ordinance ( 4.670).

Legal fireworks in Oregon include fountains, spinners and wheels available at retail fireworks outlets. Additionally, legal fireworks produce only smoke, sparks or fire but DO NOT explode, eject balls of fire, fly into the air more than 12 inches or travel more than six feet on the ground. When both legal and illegal fireworks are improperly handled, injuries and fire damage occur.

Illegal fireworks include but are not limited to, fire crackers, bottle rockets and roman candles, fly into the air, explode and behave in an uncontrolled and unpredictable manner. Illegal fireworks are extremely dangerous and create extreme fire danger. Possession of illegal fireworks is a class B misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of $2,500 and six months in jail.

Cherry bombs, M-80’s and larger and any legal or illegal firework that has been modified are considered an EXPLOSIVE DEVICE and should not be handled. Call the Eugene Police Department immediately and do not transport.

The City’s Unruly Gathering ordinance holds individuals and property owners accountable for unruly events or social gatherings. The ordinance does not target a particular group of people and applies equally to all, regardless of where one lives in the City. The law applies when alcohol is served or consumed,and where any two or more of the following behaviors occur on the property where the gathering took place or on adjacent property:

The ordinance will apply only when multiple violations of existing laws are taking place. It applies equally to all, regardless of where one lives in the City. A tenant or host would have to be breaking the law in more ways than one to be liable for penalties. The law does not prevent hosting parties or social gatherings. It just expects that the hosting will be done responsibly with respect to other neighbors. FACT PAGES

Party Management Tips

Respect your neighbors.

Find ways to celebrate that do not infringe upon your neighbors and that are alcohol-free.

Control the guest list. “Come one, come all” parties usually result in police contact. Have a door monitor to screen guests. Don’t let random people who walk around looking for parties, into your house.

Adults only. If you choose to serve alcohol, ensure that you only serve to persons 21 years of age or older.

Plan ahead. Notify neighbors well in advance of the date, times and location of the party. Give them a telephone number and the name of the person to contact if there is a problem (and be responsive to their calls!).

Clean it up. Your neighbors may be more tolerant of your next party if you clean up promptly after this one. Clean up debris from your yard or the street.

Safety first. If you are concerned for a friend’s medical safety—such as suspected alcohol poisoning—call 9-1-1 immediately.

Prevent drunk driving. Arrange for transportation by a designated driver before anyone drinks. Make sure arrangements are understood by everyone. Ensure people don’t drive under the influence (a person riding a bicycle under the influence may also be arrested for DUII). As the party host, you are also liable.

What if your party gets out of control?

If your party gets out of hand, call the police. EPD will come out and help you regain control.

Respond positively if a police officer comes to your house. The officer most likely is responding to a complaint.

Make sure the person interacting with police officers at the front door is sober and able to be responsive to officers’ requests.

Citing the Unruly Gathering Ordinance: it is an affirmative defense to a citation issued for a violation that the person who organized or hosted an unruly gathering contacted the police as soon as any of the violations or offenses listed in the definition of “unruly gathering” occurred.

Interfering with police officers makes a bad situation worse. Use common sense and be cooperative.

When a police officer asks you to clear an area, leave right away. If you stick around to see what’s happening, you may be in a situation where you are interfering with a police officer.

If police warn that they are going to use tear gas, you need to quickly get as far away as you can.

It is important to know the law! Frequently Violated Ordinances and Laws

Minor in Possession (MIP):
No person under the age of 21 shall attempt to purchase, acquire or have in their possession any alcoholic liquor (Eugene City Code 4.115 or Oregon Revised Statute 471.430), nor have in their system any alcoholic liquor (ECC 4.115).

Offense:ViolationFine:Up to $360

Minor Falsely Representing Age:
A person less than a certain age who knowingly purports to be older with the intent of securing a right, benefit or privilege which by law is denied under that certain age (ECC 4.145).

Offense:CrimeFine:Up to $500 (jailable)

Giving False Information to a Police Officer:
Knowingly uses or gives a false name, address, or birthdate to an officer issuing a citation (ECC 4.906).

Offense:CrimeFine:Up to $2,500 (jailable)

Possession of a Forged Instrument (Fake ID):
A person commits the crime of possession of a forged instrument in the first degree if, knowing it to be forged and with intent to utter same, the person possesses a forged instrument issued by a government (ORS 165.022).

Offense:Class C FelonyFine:Up to $125,000 (jailable)

Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor:
No one shall sell, give, or otherwise make available any alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years (ECC 4.110 or ORS 471.410).

Offense:Class A Misd.Fine:Up to $6,250 (jailable)

Allowing Alcohol Consumption by Minors:
No person who exercises control of private real property shall knowingly allow a minor to drink alcohol on the property or remain on the property after consuming (ECC 4.110(3) or ORS 471.410-3).

Offense:ViolationFine:Up to $1,000

Open Container/Consumption in Public:
Consumption of alcoholic liquor or possession of an open alcoholic beverage container is prohibited in all public places and all private property extended to the public
for use (ECC 4.190).

Offense:CrimeFine:Up to $500 (jailable)

Prohibited Noise:
Intentionally or recklessly creating or continuing any noise disturbance (meaning any sound which injures or endangers the safety or health of a human, or which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities). Operating or permitting the use or operation of any device designed for sound production between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. that is plainly audible within another dwelling; the same applies on public property or right-of-ways if it is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more (ECC 4.080 and 4.083).

Offense: CrimeFine:Up to $500 (jailable); up to $1,500 (jailable) for failure to cease within 30 minutes after notice or citation or for a similar noise disturbance within 6 months of receiving a citation.

Interfering with a Police Officer:
Intentionally acts in a manner that prevents or attempts to prevent a police officer from performing the lawful duties of the police officer with regards to another person; or refuses to obey a lawful order by the police officer (ORS 162.247 and ECC 4.907).

Offense:Class A Misd. Fine:Up to $6,250 (jailable)

Disorderly Conduct:
With intent to cause public inconvenience or annoyance or recklessly creating a risk thereof: a) Engages in fighting or violent behavior; b) Makes unreasonable noise; c) Disturbs any lawful assembly; d) Obstructs any vehicular or pedestrian traffic; e) Refuses to disperse when ordered to do so; f) Initiates or circulates a report known to be false regarding fire, crime or other emergency; g) Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition. Note: “Public” means three or more people disturbed or inconvenienced (ECC 4.725).

Offense:CrimeFine:Up to $1,000 (jailable)

Rioting:
A person commits the crime of riot if while participating with five or more persons the person engages in tumultuous and violent conduct and thereby intentionally and recklessly creates a grave risk of causing public alarm (ORS 166.015).

Offense:Class C FelonyFine:Up to $125,000 (jailable)

Unruly Gathering (Social Host)

Holds individuals criminally responsible for hosting, organizing and allowing an unruly event or social gathering. Property owners where the event is hosted will also be penalized if there are multiple violations of this ordinance at the same property. The ordinance applies throughout the city of Eugene. The Eugene Municipal Court has assigned a base fine of $375.00 for criminal violations of this ordinance. Both hosts and property owners could be civilly liable for police, fire and public works response to repeated illegal gatherings that fall under this ordinance. Eugene Municipal Code 4.670 / 4.672(1)

Offense:ViolationFine:Base fine: $375

Use of Marinjuana in a Public Place

(1) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the use of marijuana items in a public place.

A person under 21 years of age may not attempt to purchase, or acquire a marijuana item (which includes accepting or consuming within 24 hours before the determination that the minor consumed the marijuana item).

Offense: Class B Violation Fine: TBD

Allowing Consumption of Marijuana by Minor on Property

A person who exercises control over private real property may not knowingly allow a person under the age of 21 to consume marijuana items on the property or allow any other person under the age of 21 to remain on the property if this person consumes marijuana items on the property.